L.A. Unified 'negligence' on child abuse claims led to state audit request, official says

by Tami Abdollah

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State Assemblyman Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) ups the tone of his comments on LAUSD's handling of child abuse claims in a release today on his request for a state performance audit on the issue.

Lara, who represents southeast Los Angeles, said he made the request after recent reports on "LAUSD's negligence in managing and documenting" claims of child abuse.

"The violation of trust and safety has left our communities grapping to understand how abuse can happen in our schools," Lara said. "...The continuous reports of the district's mismanagement of child abuse cases are appalling, and it is our responsibility to investigate the lapses in administrative oversight and idenity corrective actions so that predators are stopped."

The request for the performance audit was unanimously approved today by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, and will begin immediately, said Julia Juarez, a spokeswoman from Lara's office.